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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Todd Bowles is dealing with an in-season malaise.

Yes, again.

Despite an improved effort, the Bucs fell to the Bills 44-32 for their third setback in the past four games. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 12 as Tampa Bay ventures to Los Angeles for a Sunday night matchup against the 8-2 Rams, who look like the best team in the league at the moment.

In his first year as Bucs coach, Bowles had to overcome a 1-5 slump in 2022, In 2023, the Bucs dropped 6-of-7 at one point. Last year’s swoon was a 1-5 stretch.

On all three occasions, Tampa Bay rallied to win the NFC South. Don’t look now, but the Panthers are 6-5 and haven’t played the Bucs yet.

The Bucs did some things very well on Sunday. Led by Sean Tucker, they ran for 202 yards and limited James Cook, one of the NFL’s premier backs, to 48 yards in 16 carries. When Tampa Bay’s defense wasn’t giving up big plays, the Bucs forced three turnovers.

Still, it wasn’t enough as poor special teams play and Josh Allen’s brilliant performance handed Tampa Bay its first back-to-back losses of the season.

With a 6-4 record and a favorable closing stretch, all is not lost for the Bucs, who played with considerably more energy and resolve than they displayed in last week’s home loss to New England.

Sean Tucker

Josh Grizzard capitalized on Buffalo’s awful rush defense as Baker Mayfield threw only 28 times in gusty conditions. The offensive line, playing with a pair of backup guards, opened huge holes and Tucker responded by running for 106 yards and two scores, adding a 28-yard TD catch.

There were nine lead changes in the shootout and every Buccaneer player saw action. The Bills are very tough to beat at home, but Tampa Bay stayed close until the final minutes, despite playing without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving and Ben Bredeson. Jamel Dean, having a stellar season at corner, left the game early with a hip injury and never returned.

Here’s how Buffalo pulled out a wild win behind the prolific production of the league’s reigning MVP.

* Tucker was clearly the best back on the field. He set up his blockers masterfully and Grizzard was smart enough to realize Tucker was on a roll. Rachaad White averaged 5.1 yards on his 10 carries, but it was Tucker’s day.

* Tampa Bay’s 202-yard effort on the ground was aided by Mayfield’s 39 rushing yards, including a 4-yard scoring scramble. Mayfield had gone three consecutive games without a run and it was clear he had regained confidence in his ability to absorb hard hits.

* SirVocea Dennis was effective as a blitzer and it was his pressure that forced Allen into an early interception. It was shocking to see Allen float a pass that feebly, but the Bucs had to settle for a 23-yard FG on a day when touchdowns were in plentiful supply. Dennis added a second-quarter pick off Tykee Smith’s deflection.

* The Bucs believed they had solved their early-season issues regarding their coverage units. They were wrong as Buffalo’s kickoff returns were a major factor. Ray Davis averaged 39.5 yards on his four kickoff returns, including a 45-yarder. Mecole Hardman’s 61-yard kickoff return set up one of Allen’s three scoring runs.

* Speaking of Allen, he overcame two picks and willed the Bills to victory. He threw for 317 yards and three TDs, with nine of his completions covering 18 yards or more. Tampa Bay’s pass defense wasn’t sharp, but when Allen’s targets were well covered, he fit the ball into tight windows.

Big Bills play after big Bills play.

* Bowles has to be dismayed by the big plays allowed by his defense. The Patriots scored on three plays last week that covered at least 55 yards. On Sunday, Allen threw a 43-yard TD pass to Tyrell Shavers and a 52-yard scoring pass to Ty Johnson, who went in untouched just before the opening half.

* Judging strictly by the numbers, it’s hard to believe the Bucs came out on the short end. They had 15 more snaps, committed only two penalties and outgained Buffalo by 105 yards on the ground while converting 9-of-16 on third down.

* It’s hard to bring Allen to the ground, but Tampa Bay’s pass rush didn’t make him squirm much, either, after Jacob Parrish’s early interception. YaYa Diaby was credited with the only hit against Allen, who averaged 10.6 yards per pass attempt, compared to 6.2 for Mayfield.

* Give it up for a makeshift offensive line that played disciplined, physical football and manhandled Buffalo’s defensive front. Mayfield enjoyed good protection Tristan Wirfs returned to his usual dominating form after a few off games and the interior blocking was superb.

* There’s no shame in losing to Buffalo on the road. The Chiefs suffered the same fate two weeks ago and the Bucs played well enough to beat a lot of teams on Sunday — especially on offense. Bowles wasn’t happy with the defensive lapses against the Patriots and he’s sure to be in a surly mood this week after the Bucs yielded their most points in a game since a 48-10 drubbing at Chicago in 2018, the year before Bowles arrived in Tampa.

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